Apple tree named ‘Luresweet’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Malus domestica  plant that produces apples having a red flesh color and good eating quality.

Botanical classification: Malus domestica.

Varietal denomination: ‘Luresweet’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of appletree botanically classified as Malus domestica and known by the varietalname ‘Luresweet’. The new variety was discovered in October of 2006 inBuchs, Switzerland. The new variety is the result of planned breedingprogram, in which Malus domestica ‘LubA688’ (female parent, unpatented)was crossed with Malus domestica ‘LubA275’ (male parent, unpatented).The purpose of the breeding program was to develop red-fleshed appleshaving an improved eating quality. The new variety exhibits similarsugar content, size, and scab resistance to its female parent, but has ahigher acidity content and red flesh. The new variety exhibits similarred flesh and level of acidity to its male parent, but differs in eatingquality. The red flesh color combined with good eating quality of‘Luresweet’ distinguishes the new variety from other Malus domesticavarieties known to the inventor. Its red flesh color, high sugar andacidity content, and scab resistance are similar to Malus domestica‘Lurechild’ (U.S. Plant patent application Ser. No. 14/544,111,concurrently applied-for herewith). However, ‘Luresweet’ has a laterharvest time, as well as taller, bigger, and more firm fruit, than‘Lurechild’.

The new variety has been trial and field tested and has been found toretain its distinctive characteristics and remain true to type throughsuccessive propagations.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying photographic drawings illustrate the new cultivar, withthe color being as nearly true as is possible with color illustrationsof this type:

FIG. 1 is a close-up view of a fruit of the new variety at maturity onthe tree;

FIG. 2 shows fruits of the new variety at maturity on the tree;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal, cross-sectional view of a fruit of the newvariety;

FIG. 4 is transverse, cross-sectional view of a fruit of the newvariety;

FIG. 5 shows buds and flowers of the new variety;

FIG. 6 is a close-up view of the flowers of the new variety;

FIG. 7 shows upper and lower surfaces of young leaves of the newvariety; and

FIG. 8 shows upper and lower surfaces of mature leaves of the newvariety.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following detailed description sets forth the characteristics of thenew cultivar. The data which defines these characteristics was collectedby asexual reproductions carried out via grafting on Malus domesticarootstocks in the Spring of 2007 in Buchs, Switzerland. The new varietywas grown in apple orchard under standard apple tree conditions inBuchs, Switzerland. The color readings were taken in natural daylightwithout direct sunlight. Color references are primarily to The 2007R.H.S. Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society of London.

TREE

-   Age: 4 years.-   Size: 2.2×0.5 m.-   Spread: 3.2×0.5 m.-   Average production: 7 kg per tree in a typical growing season.-   Vigor: Medium.-   Growth type: Ramified; spreading.-   Trunk:    -   -   Size.—Average of 18.0 mm in diameter when measured 70 cm            above the soil.        -   Surface texture.—Uneven.        -   Bark color.—176B.        -   Lenticels.—Length: 2.5 mm. Width: 1.0 mm. Color: 156A.            Density: High.-   Branches:    -   -   Diameter.—Average of 6.0 mm.        -   Length.—Average of 47 cm.        -   Color.—186A.        -   Surface texture.—Smooth, with pubescence at the distal half            of shoots.        -   Average angle.—40-50°.        -   Internode length.—3 cm.        -   Lenticels.—Length: 2.0 mm. Width: 1.0 mm. Shape: Oval to            round. Density: High.-   Leaves:    -   -   Length.—8.0-10.0 cm.        -   Width.—6.5-8.0 cm.        -   Shape.—Oval to rounded.        -   Apex.—Pointed.        -   Base.—Large and round.        -   Margin.—Roughly crenate.        -   Texture.—Thick and leathery with a slight shine.        -   Pubescence.—Upper surface: Absent. Lower surface: Weak.        -   Color.—Young leaves: Upper surface: 183A. Lower surface:            178A to 178B. Mature leaves: Upper surface: N139A. Lower            surface: 147B.        -   Petiole.—Shape, when viewed in cross-section: Slightly            crenate. Length: 3.5-4.0 cm. Diameter: 1.5-1.8 mm. Color:            184B.-   Flowers:    -   -   Buds.—Pedicels: Length: 21.0 mm. Diameter: 2.0 mm. Color:            187C. Bud (terminal): Length: 8.0 mm. Width: 4.0 mm. Color:            59A.        -   Blooming time.—The middle to the end of April in Buchs,            Switzerland.        -   Blooming period.—Approximately 15 days.        -   Pollination requirements.—Cross-pollination is necessary.        -   Fragrance.—Slight.        -   Petals.—Number: 5. Length: 25-27 mm. Width: 16-18 mm. Shape:            Oval. Apex: Rounded. Base: Rounded. Margin: Slightly wavy.            Texture and appearance: Soft and fragile (both surfaces).            Upper surface color: N57B. Lower surface color: N57C.        -   Sepals.—Number: 5. Shape: Oblong. Apex: Finely pointed.            Base: Rounded. Margin: Entire. Length: 8-10 mm. Width:            4-5 mm. Texture: Soft pubescence present (both surfaces).            Upper surface color: 147A. Lower surface color: 187B.        -   Stamens.—Number (per flower): 18. Filament length: 11 mm.        -   Anthers.—Average number per flower: 18. Shape: Oval to            oblong. Length: 2.5 mm. Color: 162A.        -   Pollen color.—163A.        -   Pistils.—Average number per flower: 5. Length: 15 mm. Color:            65A.        -   Style.—Length: 12 mm. Color: 65A.        -   Stigma.—Shape: Round. Color: 154C.        -   Ovary color.—65A.-   Fruit:    -   -   Date of picking.—Beginning of October (similar to or just            after ‘Golden Delicious’).        -   Average weight per fruit.—190 g.        -   Average number of fruits per cluster.—1 to 2.        -   Size.—Axial diameter: 70.0-80.0 mm. Transverse diameter:            66.0-76.0 mm.        -   Form.—Conical to ovoid.        -   Cavity.—Regular in shape. Depth: 10.0 mm. Width: 20.0 mm.        -   Basin.—Ribbed. Depth: 8.0 mm. Width: 18.0 mm.        -   Calyx.—Mostly closed, with a small opening.-   Skin:    -   -   Thickness.—Medium.        -   Texture.—Smooth.        -   Color.—46A.        -   Ground color.—1D.-   Flesh:    -   -   Color.—48B.        -   Texture.—Very firm.        -   Eating quality.—Very good; high sugar and acidity; aromatic;            slightly juicy; Brix measurement of 15.-   Core:    -   -   Bundle area.—Meeting at the core.        -   Calyx tube.—V-shaped; 10.0 mm from tube to shoulder.        -   Styles.—Generally closed, but a little open.        -   Stamens.—Median; inferior ovary.        -   Seed cells.—Average number per fruit: 5. Wall: Open. Depth:            18.0 mm. Breadth: 6.0 mm. Longitudinal section: 16.0-17.0            mm.-   Seeds:    -   -   Number perfect.—10.        -   Number in one cell.—2.        -   Length.—9.0-10.0 mm.        -   Breadth.—6.0 mm.        -   Form.—Elongated and pointed.        -   Color.—166A.-   Stem:    -   -   Length.—20.0-22.0 mm.        -   Width.—2.0 mm.        -   Color.—165A.-   Use: Table or dessert fruit with good storage capability.-   Shipping quality: No bruising with normal handling.-   Keeping quality: ˜3 months in a normal, cool storage area, but very    sensitive to storage temperatures below 4-5° C.-   Tree winter hardiness: Hardy to −18° C.-   Bud winter hardiness: Hardy to −18° C.-   Drought tolerance: Average.-   Disease resistance: Resistant to scab.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Malus domestica treesubstantially as shown and described.